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Tag Archives: Inspection

Categories Home Inspection

Things Your Inspector Wants You to Know

home inspection, home, inspection, buyer, seller, inspector, basement

After years of working in the industry and hundreds of experiences with inspections, buyers, sellers, etc. we at EIG have realized there is a gap when it comes to communication between homeowner and home inspector. 

 

That’s why we’ve dedicated our company mission to bridging the gap and improving the home inspection experience. 

 

Home inspections are a big deal, for sellers this could be the confrontation of the maintenance issues you neglected over the years.  

 

For buyers, an inspection can lead to heartbreak if a report finds the home is not worth buying. 

 

While that sounds scary, our intention is not to frighten you, but to keep you informed.  

 

With that being said there are a few golden rules that every home inspector wants homeowners to know before starting the process. 

For Sellers 

 1. Mind Your Pets

Be sure to leave them in a crate or at a friend’s house during the inspection. Not only is it distracting, it could be dangerous.  

 

During the average inspections doors, gates, windows, etc. will constantly open and close, giving your pet an easy opportunity to escape. 

 

 2. Get Rid of the Clutter 

While it’s not totally necessary to have a spotless home for the inspection (an inspector won’t care if your stove is dirty) you do want to make sure there are no barriers that prevent entrance into different rooms.  

 

Allowing the inspector to have easy and quick access to all rooms, including basement and attic, the experience will be smoother for everyone. 

 

3. Schedule a Playdate 

If you have babies or small children, it’s a good idea to get them out of the house during the inspection too.  

 

If you can get a family member or friend to watch them at a different location that would be ideal.  

 

If not and they must be at home then be sure to keep an eye on them—remember, lots of opening and closing of different doors and gates. 

 

For Buyers

1. Stay Calm 

There will be problems with the new home, don’t panic! Not all issues are critical, and we will help you decide which ones are more serious and which are easily fixed.  

 

2. Don’t Ignore Water Problems 

I know, I know—we just said not to freak out. But if you see leaky ceilings, puddles or any water related issues in the basement you may want to think twice about the purchase.  

 

Water damage or problems can be expensive and difficult to address. 

 

3. We’re Not Psychic 

Although we do know an awful lot about homes, unfortunately, we can’t predict the future.  

 

Home inspections are visual inspections, and we can’t say exactly when something will need to be repaired or exactly how much it will cost, but we can give you rough estimates that will be helpful in your decision making process. 

 

Don’t let an inspection stress you out! We’re here to help make the process easy while making sure you’re as knowledgeable as possible about each step. 

 

Stop wasting time and get in touch with us today to schedule your own professional home inspection!  

 

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Inspection

Pass Your Pre-Sell Inspection With Flying Colors

Pre-Sell Inspection

When it comes to home inspections, many people think they’re only for prospective buyers, but getting an inspection before selling is actually a great idea.

It is an investment that will save you big on time and money in the long run.

Home inspections are one of the most mismanaged aspects of the home selling process and skimping on the pre-sell inspection can give the buyers the upper hand in negotiations.

Pre-Sell Inspection

A pre-list inspection will give you a strong standing to make a deal that satisfies you.

Take a look at these benefits of a pre-sell inspection.

1. Goodwill Gesture

Show buyers that you are willing to go beyond the expected and you have nothing to hide.

This will allow buyers to have a certain peace of mind when considering your home.

2. Save Money

This pre-sell inspection will make you aware of any issues before listing. Your home is more likely to sell fast if it is problem-free.

3. Spotlight Special Areas

Show off any upgrades or assets your home has to offer with a seller’s inspection.

Want to know how to ace your seller’s inspection, let’s take a look.

Sellers Inspection

If you want to help buyers truly appreciate the condition your home is in, take these steps before your inspection to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Clear Access

Make sure all clutter is removed, and critical areas like furnace, water heater, AC units, and attics are easily accessible to the inspector.

2. Turn on the Lights

Replace any bulbs and make sure light fixtures are in working order.

3. Open House

Keep doors and gates unlocked for your home inspector.

4. Be Honest

Let inspectors know from the start of any flaws your home has. This could be a busted light fixture or broken tile.

5. Clean Filters

Change out filters in the HVAC system.

6. Check Monitors

Are your fire alarm and carbon monoxide monitors working? If not, replace them. If you aren’t sure, it’s time to check!

7. Look for Cracks

Any cracks in a window or a broken screen will show up in a report. Address these issues before the inspection.

8. Top Off Appliances

Make sure everything that should have a cap (gas lines, chimneys, etc.) that require caps should be covered. This can keep debris like leaves or animals from clogging.

9. Look at Your Vegetation

Do your trees need a trim? Take care of any low-hanging or dying branches.

10. Open and Close Everything

Check all your windows and doors to make sure they are working properly. Don’t forget to jiggle some doorknobs too!

11. Call a Pro

When in doubt if you come across a problem you’re not sure how to address, call a professional.

We Can Help!

Speaking of professionals, we are a team of highly skilled and qualified inspection pros. Use our advice to ensure a painless and effective seller’s inspection.

Check out our seller’s inspection services where you can find copies of our two types of inspection reports.

If you’re not sure which inspection you need, just give us a call, and we can help you schedule the best inspection for your home today!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home safety

What to Expect During a Septic System Inspection

Septic System Inspection

Septic systems are a critical part of everyone’s home, whether you’re a prospective buyer or current owner. And as we talked about in our previous post, a septic system is something you definitely want to maintain.

Neglecting your system could mean a major financial hit for you and your family. Getting a septic tank inspection is an important homeowner duty that should happen every 2-3 years and be done by a certified professional!

There are two types of inspections that you can request: visual and full. You should have both inspections done at some point.

Today we’ll break down what full and visual inspections mean and give you a heads up on what to expect when you have an inspection.

Before diving into what the inspection entails, try to familiarize yourself with the septic system. This will come in handy and make sure you have a basic understanding of your home’s functions.

Types of Inspections

  1. The first type of inspection, and most common, is the visual inspection.

While necessary, many experts believe that visual inspections are limited in their ability to reveal risks or issues. This inspection ensures the tank is working properly by:

  • Turning on the water.
  • Flushing the toilets.
  • Locating the tank (if the access lid is exposed).

In the end, this type of inspection won’t tell you much except for no superficial problems are visible.

It may be worth it to opt for the full inspection because you will locate the more costly issues.

  1. The full inspection is far more meticulous and will give you a better idea of the state of your septic system.

During the full inspection, inspectors will:

  • Open the tank and check liquid levels
  • Observe water flow from tank to absorption area
  • Pump the tank to make sure there are no clogs. If you have a garbage disposal, you should be pumping once a year. Homes without will be fine with one pump every three years.

Pumping your tank is crucial to the functionality of your septic system. Sticking to a regular inspection schedule will contribute to the life of your system.

Preparing for Your Inspection

After you schedule your inspection there are some steps you can take to make certain your inspection runs smoothly:

  1. Pull out your septic tank plans and have a copy ready for the inspector.
  2. Make a clear path to the tank by avoiding storage of kind on or around the tank cover and remove any brush blocking the cover.
  3. Locate your system filter and save you and your inspector’s time.

Still not sure if you want to get the inspection? Check out the average costs of repairing problematic septic systems and consider how much money you’ll be saving in the long run.

Invest in the future of your home by ensuring your septic system is fully functioning. Call us today, and we’ll give you the peace of mind that your system is good to go!

We guarantee an inspection within 48 hours!

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand